At the Clawson's office building, Greg was busy collaborating with his team on how they would solve the crisis at hand. Steve, Fred and Elisa weren't left behind. He however excused himself from the meeting and went to the coffee room during lunch break when Lance walked in with a gentle smile. "Afternoon father"Greg scoffed. "You look rather smug these days, now don't you? Can't help grinning over your brother's failure huh?"Ronald's failure has actually placed the company in a bad spot. It's not something to celebrate. Unlike some people who are too busy fawning over the opportunity to be MD, I have better plans" "Tch. Are you telling me you don't want to be MD? I don't believe that. I know you Lance. I watched you grow so I know that's nothing but a lie" Lance smirked. "Watched me grow? Hmm. I always remembered being under surveillance by many eyes. Yours and mother's certainly weren't one of them. Either way it's not a lie. I'm really not interested. I've been too busy t
Lance's phone rang out at that moment and he paused. Sapphire felt like her mind had been snapped back to reality. Her face went crimson red. What was she doing? She pushed him but he was much stronger than her so he held her hand and pinned it over her head instead. "Let me go" She struggled and a malicious smile came to his face. "I'd like to do that but I can't help but enjoy this sight the more" He gazed down at her exposed chest and her face quivered in embarrassment. She looked away. "You…you pervert…let go of me or I'll scream! He smirked but released her hand and got up. She quickly clipped her bra and pulled her shirt together to cover it but it was no use. Lance had pulled all the buttons out when he ripped it. Her hands shook. He was a beast but then what about her? Why had she let him touch her like that? Once he touched her, it had felt like all her sense of reasoning had disappeared. Was that how vulnerable she was around him? She got up and moved away from him. S
Lance arrived at the mansion when everyone was having dinner in silence. After the mess the company had been thrown in, no one would dare start a conversation in front of elder Clawson without getting chewed out. "Good evening, grandfather"The old man simply nodded as he sat down. Lance looked around the table and noticed Lauren was absent from the gathering. Where was she?"Where's Lauren? "What are we? Your wife's keepers? Pearl muttered scornfully and Devon nudged at her with his elbow. She scoffed and continued eating. "Oh, Lauren said she was feeling a bit cold so she stayed back in her room" Aunty Kathy said and he raised a brow. Was she sick? She had seemed fine earlier when she had barged into his office. He couldn't help but remember what happened between them at the office. He had wished it didn't end so soon. He sighed. He had said he didn't want anything to do with her but yet, he had no idea why he hadn't been able to control himself around her back then just like p
Sapphire woke up the next day feeling extremely lazy. She noticed Lance's wardrobe had been left slightly open and the leather jacket he wore last night had been left on the side table. He must have come in early, changed and went out without waking her. Then again he probably didn't want to see her. She frowned. She didn't want to see him too anyway. 'Liar' Her thoughts echoed but she ignored them and got up. She might as well arrange his stuff. She kept his jacket and made to lock his wardrobe when she saw an old book tucked away at the lowest part of the wardrobe. What was that? She was overwhelmed by curiousity and picked it up. It was dusty. She cleaned it up and opened it.It was a photo album! There were lots of photos in it. She saw photos of Lance when he was a baby."Awwnn" She cooed. He was so adorable. He never lost those villainously sexy eyes though. She opened further and she saw photos of Lance and Ronald as kids. They were smiling in most of them. They seemed so hap
Pearl smiled as she watched the news in her chamber. The fire incident had already made its way to the news. Paying Dean to set the building on fire was worth it. After all, that bitch couldn't send her to jail without evidence. Suddenly Devon barged into the room the next minute. "Babe, what the hell were you thinking? He snapped and she chuckled. "You've heard the news too right? It's all over social media too. Clawson fashion store gets burnt down barely a week after new management is put in place. Lauren's really in for it. It's hilarious""Did your burning down the building also involve killing someone? Since when did you become so cold hearted?Her ear stood on edge and she sat up. "What are you talking about? I didn't kill anyone. Dean said no one was in the building when she left""Well your stupid Dean was wrong. Lauren had been in the building when she set it on fire! Devon slammed furiously and Pearl's eyes widened. Devon never got mad at her. Him shouting at her meant h
Sapphire froze as she read through the headlines. Was she seeing right?"This…what is this?! "That video. This is most definitely Esther Marshals doing. I'm very sorry for my uselessness ma'am. I couldn't protect you from this" Marcus said remorsefully and she sighed. "No, this isn't your fault. It's not like we knew this was going to happen. I can't believe this! I've got a $870 million debt stashed on my shoulder, a part of the department store just got razed down and now this? Why am I so unlucky? "Don't say that ma'am. There's nothing wrong with you ma'am and it isn't your fault. It's that Miss Marshal's fault. I'm sure she heard about the fire and used it to her advantage! That callous woman! Not only is she running after your husband, she's also trying to ruin your reputation" Janet snapped enraged. Marcus sighted a few reporters coming into the hospital but it was too late, they had already seen Sapphire. "There she is! Mrs Clawson…! A reporter called and Sapphire's heart
Meanwhile Esther just arrived her penthouse along with her friend Stephanie. "Way to go girl! That wretch doesn't stand a chance" Stephanie laughed as she tossed her bag on the couch. "I know right? She's such a lowlife. She's just getting a taste of what she deserves. She thinks she can steal Lance away from me? She hasn't seen anything yet"Suddenly her phone rang out at that moment. "Who's that? Stephanie asked taking off her shirt. "Oh, it's the old man. I'll take this real quick. Hello da….."You damn brat. What the hell did you do? Tyron Marshal's enraged voice rang at the other side of the line and Esther froze. Her dad never yelled at her. "Daddy, what did I do? Why are you screaming at me like that?"Don't you dare daddy me, you brat. What the fuck did you do to the Clawsons?"The Clawsons? I mean I didn't do anything. Well I played a little game on one of them, that's all. It wasn't seriou….""A little game? You messed with someone dangerous in the Clawson family, didn'
Sapphire woke up the next morning to receive one of the greatest shock of her life. The rumours about her in the media had been resolved in a twinkle of an eye. Esther Marshal had come out to say that Lauren wasn't the one in the video and that her sources had simply misled her. She gave a public apology and said something about going to apologize to her personally when she had the chance. That didn't work well in Esther's favor as a few people bashed her for doing something like that without being sure first. "Isn't this exciting news ma'am? You can walk freely again""Is this…Lance's doing? How did he get Esther to do this? She scoffed and sighed. Who knows, maybe he threatened to end their relationship. Sapphire was seated on the bed when a knock came at the door. Janet went to get the door and Lance came in. Sapphire felt a lump in her throat, she didn't know what to say. "Welcome sir. Mistress, I'll take my leave now" Janet bowed and went outside. An awkward silence hung in
"Lance" She muttered softly. He kissed her again, this time deeper as he ran his hand through her hair. Sapphire felt her body throb in need. She was yearning for his touch and this time she couldn't deny it. She held his collar as he kissed her more violently. She moaned softly. He ran his hand down her back and over her hair. He pulled back and wrapped his arms around her. "I want you Sapphire" He whispered into her ears in deep heavy breathes. "Then..what…are you waiting for? She stuttered softly and his eyes glowed. Just then, he swept her off her feet and carried her to their room. He laid her down on the bed and climbed over her, using his right arm to support his weight on the bed to avoid crushing her. He kissed her again. This time more hungrily. His tongue swirled entangling with hers. He pushed her dress up as he ran his left hand ran up her thigh softly. He trailed his tongue down her neck, planting kisses on the nape of her neck and sucking it slightly. She felt the
Sapphire gave a fresh gasp of relief when she alighted the car. She had sworn she almost suffocated despite the AC. Lance was just so damn close to her. He wasn't sparing any moment to make her uncomfortable, right? It was more frustrating how she hated it but liked it at the same time. Sapphire looked at the bungalow in front of her and raised a brow. Did the driver bring them to a wrong place? Sure, the place was exquisite but nothing special. Lance walked over to meet her and he caught her confused looks. "Not what you were expecting? He said, hands in his pockets. "Hm. Not really"He gave a slightly amused smile. "What? You said it was a massive surprise. I expected something more thrilling" She shrugged in her defence. "Why don't you see the surprise before concluding? Let's go" He held her hand and pulled her along. Having him holding her hand like that made her heart feel fuzzy. It was unlike other times. It was filled with nothing but warmth. They moved into the buildin
Esther flashed a sassy smile. "Oh, if it isn't Lauren. I didn't see you there. You presence is just so weak as usual" Esther spat with a lace of venom as she pushed a lock of her hair behind her shoulders. Sapphire's jaw tightened. Esther was in Dubai too? Had she come here because she heard they would be here? But no one was supposed to know. "Hi Lance. You look more handsome today than you did last night" Esther said with a sly wink and Sapphire felt her blood boil. Last night? She raised a brow and turned to look at Lance who didn't say a word. She couldn't believe it! He had been with Esther all night. He must have probably invited her too! The bastard! After all the nonsense he spewed when they were both in the Jacuzzi. "Say, didn't you miss me Lance? You didn't even say goodbye last night. That was so cold. I was kind of lonely after you left" Esther said with a slight moan and Sapphire couldn't bear it anymore. Seeing the two of them flirt in front of her. She turned to La
Lance intensified the kiss as he held her closer. It almost felt like he was on fire. He had never felt this way in a very long time. This woman was driving him crazy. He wanted her right now. He wanted to feel every inch of her and make love to her from dusk till dawn but then he knew he needed to take things slow. If he went any further, she'd probably pull away. Like last time. He pulled away gently and caressed her cheeks as he gazed into her eyes but Sapphire looked away sheepishly. What was she doing? Why was she feeling this way for him when she knew without a doubt that he was simply using her? It felt like her senses had just kicked in. She pulled away from his arms. "Staying…staying with you tonight didn't include kissing me"He smirked. "You didn't seem like you wanted me to stop. I don't mind kissing you all over again all night long" He said in a husky tone and she gulped with a blush. She moved away from him a little. He chuckled, got out of the Jacuzzi and came bac
Sapphire sat by her reading table, a book in her hands. She had dismissed Janet for the night and she couldn't help but feel so alone and scared. What was Lance really planning for the honeymoon tomorrow? Maybe it was also part of his ploy and he was only using the trip to Dubai as a cover to do something else. Just then Lance came out of the bathroom, half naked except a towel which was wrapped around his waist. She resisted the urge to gaze at his hot body and just looked away. She swallowed. If she didn't ask now, she probably wouldn't know."Lance""Yes?"Why….why did you suddenly request we go on a honeymoon? "I just felt like it. After all we're husband and wife. Shouldn't we get to spend time with one another?"Huh? Sapphire looked at him wide eyed and he shot her a sexy look. She flushed and looked away embarrassed. "But..but…this marriage is nothing but a sham. You…you only got married to me to access your family's empire so why should you care? Or is this another one of
A celebration was held at the mansion that night. Greg's plans or stolen ideas rather had worked out! It came as both a relief and surprise to everyone. The celebration took place in Elder Clawson's private balcony. For some reason Kathy had talked grandfather into it and he had agreed. While everyone talked and chatted, Sapphire's mind couldn't help but be elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about Lance's request. What was he really planning?"Ma'am, do you need a drink? Janet asked with a bright smile and she sighed. A drink was the last thing she wanted. With Elisa running lose, there was no telling what she'd do. She could plan to poison her. "I'm okay J" "Elder Clawson isn't present at the party" Sapphire noticed. It was strange. "He must want to rest. I heard Mr Steve telling Mr Fred that he had gone to sleep in his chambers""Oh" "Mr Lance isn't here also" Janet noted and Sapphire grimaced. "That's a good thing" She whispered to herself. "Did you say anything ma'am?"E
Pearl scoffed immediately Sapphire walked out of the kitchen and Brenda rolled her eyes. "Since when did you run errands for Aunt Kathy? Is this the result of grandfather kicking you out of the company? Brenda spat and Pearl gave a mocking laugh. "At least I'm better than a certain someone. It amazes me how much of a snake you are. Can you tell me? What's the secret to laughing along with someone you stabbed in the back?"Says the woman who tried to kill her, along with your brother!"Oh please! We both know that wasn't my intention! If there's someone who's capable of killing someone, it's you! You've always been a vile snake! A pretender and a complete phony! You act all good on the surface but I know you would have been happy if Lauren had died in the fire so you could steal her husband! You slut! Pearl spat and Brenda gasped enraged. "I dare you to say that again! Brenda spat and Pearl smirked. "Oh what? That you're a slut? I said it, so what? "Babe! Devon called as he walked
"Fine! Sapphire spat with a frown and Lance smirked. "Alright then. I'll have my secretary transfer the renovation funds to you"She scoffed and turned to leave. "Wait, I haven't told you my first request"Sapphire's hair stood on edge and she turned."Ugh. You're doing this. Right now?He raised a brow and she sighed. "Anyway, here's my first request………"Brenda had hurried to the office to catch up with Lance but she felt her heart stop when Tina the secretary told her that Lance was inside the office with Lauren. She stifled the urge to bawl. Lauren was here? Right now? Why? Why did that bitch always have to ruin her plans?She went home fuming. She had to put her plan into motion. She couldn't let Lauren couldn't steal Lance from her. There was no way Lance loved that woman that much! She would get Lance back.Sapphire walked outside the office with a puzzled look on her face. She was still baffled at Lance's request. Sure she had expected that he would request for something ins
A conference at the Clawson office complex was ongoing. Greg was presenting a remedy to the problem the company was facing. That was clinching a certain project with the Gregorys who were known for their credibility. "This was what I thought about and after compiling stats, I'm certain this will help the company growth" Everyone at the conference was stunned. No one possibly expected a loser like Greg to come up with such a majestic idea. A majority agreed to follow Greg's plans. After the conference ended, a bunch of the board members hovered around him commending him and telling him how brilliant his idea was. He grinned. "Well what can I say? I can be rather surprising eh? He said and they burst into laughter. Lance scoffed. He knew his thieving father would steal his idea. He had prepared a few documents on a good strategy plan to solve the problem too and had intentionally kept them carelessly in his study room at the mansion. The old man had probably sneaked into his study,